Suspension hook



Feb. 14, 1950 E. J. Lux

SUSPENSION HOOK Filed sept. 12, 1947 INVENTOR.

MQW@

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 14, 1950 UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE `r2,497,615 SUSPENSION Hoon Eugene J. =Lux, New York, N. Y.

Application-September 12, 1947, "SeralN-o. '773,584

(Cl.'248f28) v Claims.

1 This iinvention relates to suspension hooks for mounting picture framesancl the like.

@ne object oi the vinvention is 'the provision of improved means vfor such "hooks for eliminating the A'drab appearance thereof by yimparting :thereto-a decorative or ornamental appearance which shall add attractiveness to the wall on whichvthe hook is mounted.

This invention is best exemplified in connection with a hook having at :its upper end a loop portion provided with alined holes for guiding a nail at a downward, oblique angie into the wall. A hook of this type may be said to have at its upper `and lower ends the respective downwardly and upwardly bentportions. In accordance with the invention, the upper, downwardly bent portion :may form a downwardly open loop, and of course the upwardly bent lower or hook portion maybe said to form an upwardly open loop.

ft is therefore another object of the invention to provide Va device having a decorative element of vplastic or lother suitable material of any desired color or design which shall overlie the intermediate or shank portion of the hook; to provide adevice in which the plaque is so thin or so arranged that it will not be struck and broken :ln-driving the nail into the wall or in striking one of the loop portions; to provide a device wherein the plaque is mounted by engagement with one, or preferably, with a yplurality of the loop portions; to provide a device in which the nail may be used to secure or additionally anchor the plaque; to provide a device employing one, but prefereably a plurality of spaced nails for greater supporting power, with the plaque decorativ-ely conforming to the structure to obtain the various advantages herein noted; to provide a device in which one structural part holds or supports'the weight of the plaque and another prevents lateral movement of the plaque; and to provide a device that is 'particularly adapted for easy and rapid assembling of the hook and plaque.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a device having improved means whereby the decorative plaque cooperatesv with the hook to provide a fixed or movable retainer `for the picturewire or cordin the hook; to provide adevice in which the plaque is swingable or movable Afor various purposes, as in order to permit the placing of record indicia on the rear thereof; and-to provide a device wherein the plaque is adapted to conceal the nail head according to a structure l which is very easy'to mold and assemble.

Other objects and advantages of the invention wllbecome apparent asithespecification; proceeds.

'With 4the aforesaid objects in view, -th-e inven tion y.comprises the novel features, combinations and zarrangements of parts Ihereinafter fdescrlibed in itheir preferred embodiments, pointed out in the .lsubjoined i'claims, .and illustrated 1in the annexeddrawing, wherein like partsaredesignated by 4the lsame reference `vcharacters 'throughoutfthe several views.

`In the drawing:

Figure `1 is-a view in front elevation showing a device embodying the invention. l

Fig `2 is a side edge View .thereof Fig. 3 'is a sectional view on the broken line 3-3 of Figure 1 .showing in dot-.dashlines `the mounting nail therefor.

.-Eig. .4 is ia plan .view `of the .decorative .or yplastic plaque.

Fig. 5 is a similar -view of the-metallicfor Vhook portion with the vplaque:detached.

Figuis a View of a emodiiiedplaque.`

Eig-,7 is an edge'view thereof.

iFig. 8 isa view in felev'ationof a modied device 'embodying the invention.

:Fig e9 :iis-a view in elevation of another A'modiication faccordingito the invention.

Fig. :10 4is a sectional view taken on ithe vbroken line lllt0 `of .Fig."9.

Fig. 11 -is a view in elevation-ofranother modicationrof .the invention.

Fig. '-12 Yisa sectional view on the ,line v12a-'l2 of Fig. i1f1. l

.-Fig. .'13 is fasecticna'l -view of a portion of 'the deviceionfthe line |3-.| 301l Fig. .11.

'Iheadvantages'of the invention as here out linge-d arebestrealizedwhenallzof its :features .and instrumentalities l'are :combined but useful .lembodiments may :be produced involving less :than the whole.

kIt -will befo'bvious to n.those skilled in the .art to which the 4invention appertains, that the same mayibe .incorporated -in'several different constructions. The laccompanying drawing, therefore, -is submitted fmerely as showing a ypref erred exemplification of fthe invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, I5 denotes a deviceembodying the invention. The same may include a lhook member |:6 consisting of a metal orfanyrother suitablestrong material. This member may `have a body or shank l1 that is .elongated in an vupright-direction and .is/providedat,

its opposite-ends with loop portions bent toward eachother. More specifically, at'the lower ends there an 'upwardlydirected -lor bent vhook porr tion t8, .which .lis openi'so as -to readily receive cords or wires for suspending picture frames or other articles. At its upper end, there are preferably two loop portions I9 which are downwardly bent, being either closed, but preferably open at their lower ends. Each loop I9 together with an adjacent portion of the shank I1 provide alined holes 29, 2| disposed at an oblique angle for receiving and guiding a nail 22 into a wall at the proper angle to afford maximum supporting power. These loops I9 are spaced away from each other according to various considerations, as for instance to obtain desired decorative effects because the loops are utilized as an ornamental feature of the device I5; and by the provision of two loops I9, double strength is afforded because two nails can be employed. Cooperating with the hook member I5 is an auxiliary element which is preferably of a decorative nature, such as a plaque or the like, made of any suitable material, preferably plastic, which lends itself readily to inexpensive molding by an injection process and which is capable of having a wide variety of bright colors. This plaque 22 is mounted on the hook member I6 in any suitable manner, and the main portion thereof is intermediate of the loop elements I8 and I9 and is preferably formed as a relatively thin plate so as not to be accidentally struck by a hammer driving the nails 22. Furthermore, the thinness of the plate is such that it will notobstruct the entrance to the portion I8. The plaque overlies and lconceals the main body or shank I1 of the hook member so that only the loop portions IB and I9 need be exposed as decorative elements complemental to the plaque. Preferably the plaque is engaged or secured to one or more of the loop portions, and it may enter into or under the latter. The invention is best exemplified by the provision of openings 23l that are in register with the openings 2li and 2| of each loop portion I9, whereby the nails 22 may serve as an alternative or as a complemental securing means for the plaque. Desirably, the openings 23 are open ended at the top edge of the plaque to freely receive the nails 22 with ample clearance, the nails preventing lateral movement of the plaque. An alternative or further complemental securing means may reside in the formation of the openings or recesses 24 in the plaque for receiving the free ends 25 of the loops I9. There are advantages in the utilization of the recesses 24 even if the loop portions I9 do not engage therein: if these loop portions should be struck by a hammer in driving the nails 22, the free ends of the loop portions might so strongly impinge on the plaque as to break the same; in that case, the recesses 24 afford a clearance, and the thin web closures at the inner face at the recesses may become accidentally broken without breaking the plaque itself. The loop portions I9 may be sprung into the recesses 24 or may be forcibly bent thereinto, and such engagement will resist both lateral and vertical movement of the plaque. Since the lower end portion 26 of the plaque is received in the hook portion I8, the latter may serve to carry the plaque and to prevent vertical movement thereof by cooperation with the loop portions I9 while lateral movement is prevented by the nails 22 or by the engagement at 25 or both, and hence the recesses 24 may be formed as a continuous horizontal groove or track as suggested at 21 in Fig. 6, which track may comprise the recesses 28 corresponding to the recesses 24. With the use of a horizontal track, the end portions 25 will frictionally grip the plaque While the latter is slid horizontally in assembling 4 the device I5, with the loop portions I9 defiected as a result of their resilience until they engage in the recesses 28.

The plaque 22 is coordinated with the hook member I6 to prevent a suspending cord or Wire from being accidentally pushed out of the hook portion I8. For this purpose the plaque is formed with a projection or tongue 30 above the bottom edge thereof which rests on the bght of the hook portion. rIhe tongue 39 may lie within the latter so as to project forwardly to form a cord receiving space 3| into which a cord may nd easy access by reason of the top surface slope of the tongue, but with accidental removal of the cord prevented because the top opening for the space 3| is restricted. This feature will be found to be of considerable value against dislocation of pictures by children.

In Fig. 8 is shown a modified device 32 comprising a hook member 33 and a plaque 34 exemplifying the teaching of the device I5, and differing therefrom principally in that there is only a single top loop portion 35. Accordingly the hook member may be constructed of a strip of metal, and in each of these devices the plaque may be of any suitable size, configuration and decoration to suit the type of hook member employed.

In Figs. 9 and l0 is shown a modified device 36 comprising a hook member 31 and a plaque 38 which are like the corresponding elements of the device i5, except that the plaque is swingably mounted on the loop portions 39. This is possible by suitably shaping the portions 39 and by providing through-openings at 4D in place of the recesses 24, although the latter may also be through-openings. In the lower portion of the plaque there is a cut out 4I which is adapted to completely clear the hook portion 42, and at the same time thefcut-outs 43 may be adapted to clear loop portions 39. Now the plaque may be swung upwardly to reveal suitable record indicia or identification marks on its reverse side relevant to the particular picture or article carried by the hook. Tongues 44 like that at 30 may cooperate with the hook portion 42 in order to lock the cord or wire from which the picture frame is suspended, and in fact this lock may be of a positive nature if the plaque is forwardly moved and frictionally maintained in the positionshown in Fig. l0, or thus maintained by any suitable insert between the body of the hook and the rear face of the plaque.

In Figs. 11 to 13 is shown a modification 45 comprising a hook 46 and a plaque 41 coordinated according to the general principles herein, except that the plaque is easily removable and is preferably applied after the picture cord or wire has been engaged with the hook portion 4B. In this modification, the plaque will also serve to conceal the entire hook as well as the nailhead, only.

the hook portion 48 being exposed. The hook 46 may be conventional while the plaque 41 is provided with a cut-out at 49 whereby it can be received in and straddle the hook portion 48. The

upper section of the plaque is provided with a.

the hookportion 48 supports the latter. The freeend 5I of the hook portion serves to hold the plaque against the loop portion 59 in c0opera.

cording to my invention may consist of two permanently interconnected parts or of two parts which the operator assembles in course of use, although the form er is preferable. Whereas heretofore it has been customary to attempt to conceal the hooks behind the pictures thus making it difficult to engage the cord or wire with the hook, by the present invention this is no longer necessary as my device may be operatively exposed in a decorative manner above the picture. The invention makes it practical to produce the relatively more expensive type of hook shown in which two nails are used givingdouble the supporting power without requiring the use of unduly long nails that may eventually cause deterioration of the wall. The invention also causes the picture cordlor wire to be securely held so that accidental swinging of the picture which may be caused in cleaning the house or by children at play will prevent disengagement, and

this is of additional value where the hook is exposed above the picture as herein contemplated.

I claim: y j

l. A device including an upright, suspension hook member having a body having at its upper end a downwardly bent portion, the latter and the body having alined nail receiving openings, a decorative plaque element having an opening, the downwardly bent portion engaging in said opening to secure the element.

2. A device including a hook member having a body, the latter having a shank having a portion bent upon itself to form an open loop portion having a free end, the loop portion having spaced alined holes for receiving and guiding a mounting nail, a display element having-a portion received in the loop portion and having a marginal cut-out alined with the nails, said element also having a recess receiving the free end of the loop portion to mount the element.

3. A device including a member having a shank terminating at its lower end in a suspension hook portion, a display element concealing a main part of the shank and having a bottom portion engaged in the hook portion, the element having an upper portion having an opening, a decorative plaque element having a portion engaged in said opening.

4. A device including a member having a vertical shank having at its lower end a suspension hook portion and having a decorative element overlying and concealing the major portion of the shank, the element being mounted on the latter and having a section received in the hook portion, the latter opening in an upward and forward direction, the section having a tongue of rigid material in the hook portion projecting forwardly therein to overlie and retain against accidental removal a cord engaged in the hook portion.

5. A device including a member having a vertical shank having at its lower end an upwardly and forwardly bent section forming a hook portion, a decorative element overlying and concealing the main part of the shank, the element consisting of rigid material and being rigidly connected to the shank, the element having at its lower end an integral tongue projecting horizontally forward closely adjacent to the bight of the hook portion to dene with the latter a path that is closed at the bottom, front and rear while forming a constricted top opening substantially smaller than the opening of the hook portion to facilitate engagement by a carrying cord while preventing accidental removal of the cord.

6. A 'device including a member having a vertical shank having at its lower end a forwardly projecting suspension hook portion,.a decorative element overlying and concealing a major part of the shank, means pivotally mounting the element on the shank at a point spaced above the hook portion, whereby the element is adapted to swing forwardly and rearwardly with the lower end of the element acting as a leading edge, the element having at said leading edge means cooperating with the hook portion to lock a suspension cord therein when the element is swung forwardly and to release the cord when the element is swung rearwardly.

7. A device of the character described comprising an upright member for mounting on a wall having at its upper end downwardly bent loop portions having a free end and at its lower end an upwardly bent hook-shaped suspending portion, the loop portions and the adjacent part of said member being formed with nail receiving guide holes, and a decorative plaque overlying said member and engaging said loop portions for mounting and positioning the plaque.

8. The device as defined in claim 7 in which `said decorative plaque is formed with openings receiving the free ends of said loop portions and with holes aligned with said member nail receiving guide holes.

9. The device as defined in claim '7 in which said decorative plaque is formed with openings receiving the free ends of said loop portions for swingable support thereon, said plaque being recessed to clear a nail engaged in said aligned nail holes when the device is nailed to a wall in operative position.

l0. A device comprising a member having a vertical shank terminating at its lower end in a suspension hook, the, shank having at its upper end a plurality of downwardly formed open loop sections spaced on opposite sides of a central plane vertical to the suspension hook, each loop section having aligned nail holes, and a decorative element overlying the shank and being received in the hook and loop portions against vertical movement, said loop sections releasably supporting said decorative element.

EUGENE J. LUX.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,115,818 Hickerson Nov. 3, 1914 1,607,045 Bernhard Nov. 16, 1926 1,808,521 Broder June 2, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 521,769 Great Britain May 3o, 1940 

